Tran·sient a.
1. Passing before the sight or perception, or, as it were, moving over or across a space or scene viewed, and then disappearing; hence, of short duration; not permanent; not lasting or durable; not stationary; passing; fleeting; brief; transitory; as, transient pleasure. “Measured this transient world.”
2. Hasty; momentary; imperfect; brief; as, a transient view of a landscape.
3. Staying for a short time; not regular or permanent; as, a transient guest; transient boarders. [Colloq. U. S.]
Syn: -- Transient, Transitory, Fleeting.
Usage: Transient represents a thing as brief at the best; transitory, as liable at any moment to pass away. Fleeting goes further, and represents it as in the act of taking its flight. Life is transient; its joys are transitory; its hours are fleeting.
What is loose love? A transient gust. --Pope
If [we love] transitory things, which soon decay,
Age must be loveliest at the latest day. --Donne.
O fleeting joys
Of Paradise, dear bought with lasting woes. --Milton.
-- Tran*sient*ly adv. -- Tran*sient*ness, n.